The Love Complex (Completed)

-9-

"What's called a difficult decision is a difficult decision because either way you go there are penalties." -Elia Kazan

Dylan and Regina did not say a word to one another as they went back to the house. Their minds were both preoccupied. Regina had been thinking about her father and his condition. Meanwhile, Dylan couldn't find the right words to comfort the girl who was worriedly, sitting beside him. There were still walls placed between them, and he didn't know how to overcome them.

Eventually, they got home and he decided to speak. "Your father," He said, when they were both in the hallway near the living room. Regina looked at him. She seemed distracted, as if she was somewhere else.

"If you want to, he can go and see me tomorrow. You know, so he can get his check-up."

Regina nodded before walking away. He stood there, looking at her retrieving figure, but didn't follow her. Instead, he made his way to the kitchen. He walked toward the cupboard to get a glass and pour himself some water.

The Kendall's were good people. He could see it in their eyes. Even Regina, with her hard exterior and difficult to get to know personality, seemed good natured. As a doctor, he wished to help them and as a person he wished to understand them. Mostly Regina.

He thought back on the list she had given him. He brought it out of his jean pocket and placed it on the kitchen island. He had clumsily spilled juice on half of the paper, so some words were partly smudged. He hadn't been able to tell her and was too embarrassed to ask her if she could rewrite it again. He felt thankful when Mr. Kendall had just focused on his time abroad during dinner.

Despite not being able to see some of the words, he still looked over the parts he could understand. Unlike his own list, Regina had provided more details in her stories. Her penmanship was impeccable, even better than his own. Her letters were round and pretty. They almost made him smile.

He thought that it would have been better to ask her personally about the list, like she had suggested, but work had made it difficult. Perhaps, that was the reason she had become so distant. He hadn't helped enough. He hadn't pushed harder to get to know her.

He sighed and put the paper back in his pocket before he stood up to go to bed. The next morning, he woke up early to make breakfast. Even though Regina had forgiven his debt for the sake of their little lie, he hadn't stopped, mostly because it kept him distracted. It occupied his mind, and he didn't have to think. 

It was almost time for Regina to wake up when he heard a loud bang followed by loud steps coming from the stairs. It was Regina, she came rushing toward the kitchen. Her eyes were bloodshot as she grabbed the car keys from the kitchen island and was on her way toward the front door. Dylan noticed all of this and ran up to her, he stopped her and grabbed hold of her.

"What is going on?" He asked. Regina shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"He's... sick." She managed to say. Her hands were shaking and it was obvious that she couldn't drive in that state.

"Let's go." He said, leading her toward the door. He drove her in silence, while Regina called her sister who wasn't picking up the phone.

The night before, Regina's sister had also been a short topic of conversation, mainly for Regina and her step mother. Dylan had not been able to hear much because Mr. Kendall had asked him about his work abroad. Hence, the only thing he knew was that she was supposed to show up that night, but wasn't able to for an unknown reason. 

"She doesn't answer," she told Mrs. Kendall on the phone. It was almost time for work when they got to the hospital.

"Where is he at?" He asked, after she had hung up the phone.

Regina looked at him, her eyes were still teary, "Trinity Hospital," she said. It was the same hospital where Dylan worked.

They got to the hospital after a few minutes.

"I'm going to be taking the car keys, " he told her as he led her toward the corridor and toward her father's room. "I'm going to head to work, but if you need to head home or somewhere else, call me so I can take you."

Regina nodded before heading into the room. She still seemed completely lost, probably not paying attention to him.

Regina walked into the room. She could hear her step-mother talking to her father in a hushed whisper. Her voice was breaking and desperate. "Don't say nonsense," the woman said with a soft dry chuckle. Her husband tried to chuckle, but it was obvious that he was still weak. "I'm sorry... for worrying you like this."

Regina breathed in. Her sinuses were congested from the crying. She tried not to look broken and quickly wiped away her tears with the back of her sleeve. "Regina," her father called when he saw her.

He was smiling though his face was sunken and tired. She smiled, though it was hard. Her jaw ached. There was a deep knot in her throat that didn't allow her to say a word.

"Come here darling," he said, motioning for an empty seat next to the hospital bed. Regina did. She sat down beside him, but didn't say a word. Mrs. Kendall looked at her and then back at the door.

"She's still not here?" She asked. Regina shook her head, "She'll probably get here as soon as she hears the voicemail." She explained trying to make them feel better.

Mr. Kendall looked at them and smiled, "It's not so serious, she has things to worry about. I don't want her to worry over something like this, I'll be fine."

Mrs. Kendall shook her head. "She should still be here, her father is sick--" she didn't continue. Her throat closed up and a sob escaped instead.

"I'm going to be fine." He said, his hand fell on top of hers and he caressed it trying to comfort her as best as he could. After a few minutes, he turned back to Regina. "By the way, I heard that your fiance works with us. Where is he?"

Regina cleared her throat. She hadn't expected him to ask about Dylan in his state. She looked over at Mrs. Kendall and then at the clock. "He-uhm...He's working. He drove me here and took the keys, so I'll probably ask him to take me back home in a bit."

Mr. Kendall nodded, "That's very good, I'll tell Lawrence to give him the rest of the day off so that way he can take care of you."

Regina shook her head, "No, dad, it's fine. Besides, Dylan is very reserved. It's best if they don't know that we're in a relationship. He doesn't want any sort of special treatment."

The truth was that she was sure that Dylan had no idea about her father's relationship with the hospital. Even though, he had talked about his new job, she had not asked about the name of the hospital and he had forgotten to mention it. 

Mr. Kendall nodded, "Fine. I won't then, but you must take care of yourself. I don't want my daughter to get sick."

Regina nodded. The door was opened and footsteps led them all to look over. Mrs. Kendall frowned when she saw that it wasn't the youngest Kendall daughter.

"Hello." Dylan said, a nurse was walking beside him.

"Dr. Peters had an emergency, so I was asked to take over his rounds. I hope you all don't mind." He said.

Regina and Mrs. Kendall shook their heads. His voice was softer than usual and there was an air of sensitivity that enveloped him and made Regina stare a bit longer. He was wearing his white coat and there was a stethoscope around his neck.

His gaze fell on Regina before he immediately looked over to Mr. Kendall. "I'm glad you're here Doc, we were just talking about you." Said Mr. Kendall with a smile.

Dylan nodded, "Is that so, I hope it was all good things."

Mr. Kendall nodded. Dylan also let out a soft smile. He looked over the chart before beginning to check on Mr. Kendall.  His eyes eventually followed Regina, who was still looking at her father with a worried smile. 

---